The Lemon Index2017 Audi A3.
The 2017 Audi A3 is better than average by owner complaints: 23 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 83, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 25 to 34 mpg combined. The best Audi A3 year is 2016.
Better than average. 1.2× fewer complaints than average.
Best year 2016
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 81 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Audi A3 year. 2017 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 7K to 53K miles on the car (32 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 5
- fuel system, gasoline 2024
Due to a problem with a suction jet pump seal inside the fuel tank, fuel may flow into the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system and possibly leak out of the charcoal canister.
- airbags 2021
The passenger occupant detection system (PODS) may malfunction and switch off the passenger air bag even when the seat is occupied.
- airbags 2019
An improper electrical contact may cause the Passenger Occupant Detection System (PODS) to falsely detect a malfunction and deactivate the passenger air bag.
Show all 5 recalls
- engine 2017
The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may misinterpret the flywheel rotation on engine start-up as a "knocking" condition, and the adjusted air/fuel mixture may result in an engine stall.
- airbags 2017
In a lower-speed crash situation, the air bag control unit software may deploy the passenger frontal air bag improperly if the front seat passenger is sitting on the edge of the seat or is laying in the seat with the sea…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Audi told dealers about
Audi sent dealers 873 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This bulletin contains instructions for submitting a PSS for when there are no faults, oil…
- This bulletin contains instructions for using the UV additive to find engine oil leaks
- This bulletin advises to install a damper weight on the shaft of the front driver's side axle…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFuel leak due to suction jet pump failure within fuel tank (remedy effectiveness of recall 16v647)2023–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi A3 C FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Audi A3 C FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Audi A3 C AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Audi A3 C AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Audi A3 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Audi A3 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2200–2550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Passenger air bag off light will illuminate while passenger is seated. Numerous error codes will flash on dash. Car on highway, in motion.after a few minutes, light will turn off and error codes disappear.
2017 Audi A3 owner · NHTSA complaint 11354557
More owner reports
Seatpod sensor for passenger air bag fault messages. Had this repaired done 4 times since purchased new. I don't feel save driving in this car. Please help. Bbb cant help me.
NHTSA complaint 11320434
Quick answers
Is the 2017 Audi A3 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 83; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Audi A3 year by this measure is 2016.
What are the most common 2017 Audi A3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (30%), airbags (26%) and fuel or ev drive system (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2017 Audi A3 have?
5 safety recalls (latest: fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2017 Audi A3 get?
25 to 34 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2017 Audi A3 safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2017 Audi A3 problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 7,300 and 53,000 miles. The middle report was at 37,500 miles, from 32 complaints.
Does the 2017 Audi A3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2017 Audi A3 cost in fuel a year?
About $2200 to $2550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2017 Audi A3 have?
1.4L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Audi A3 year is better than the 2017?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2016, 2015 and 2017.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works